So I am currently a Chevy owner, I have a colorado. I found a really nice 2008 Dakota sxt quad cab v6 (it says big horn on the gate also) with 28k on it at my local dealer and I'm seriously thinking about it. I have found some threads online that there was electrical issues w/ the 08's?
So I just wanted to reach out to actual dodge owners and see if these trucks were good and if there are any issues to look out for. After looking at it I really like the fit and finish of the truck over my colorado.

Thanks, I really appreciate the help !!

 

I will move this to the 3rd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

what electrical problems r u refering to, i havent an 08 and i havent had any

 

I havent heard of any electrical issues with them. Other then when the battery goes bad it can cause lots of issues, that are resolved by replacing the battery.

The most known issues with 05's and up are Front End related. Tie-Rods, Ball-Joints, Struts, Sway Bar, and such since OEM are non-greasable, and even most Aftermarket are not, other then Moog's Problem Solver Line (that I know of)

I have a 2005, and have owned it 2 years now, and have replaced.
Both Sway-Bar End Links, Wheel Bearing, 1 Tie-rod, Both Lower Ball-Joints, Struts, Shocks, Resonator, Both Wheel Cylinders, Both Calipers, Rotors and Pads (Now keep in mind, my truck is also 7-8 Years old)
1 Sway-Bar link broke replacing the struts because it was rusted on, Rust also caused the Resonator delete (Had a straight pipe installed), and Wheel Cylinder and Caliper Replacement
The Struts and Shocks where both still ok, Struts where replaced when I added my Leveling kit, and Shocks just because I wanted to put in Monroe Sensa-trac Load Adjusting Ones

I dont think anything was replaced before I bought the truck, Other then the oil, Or if it was it was replaced with OEM crap

 

I love my 08 SXT ext cab. I have the V6, gas milage is not great but it has a fair bit of power. It tows my boat fine!. the 4x4 works good too

 

Factoid: UNLESS you happen to have the Colorado with the 5.3L V8 potion,
the 'Kotas ( Even the "Puny" 210 HP V6's) will outpull ANY Colorado!!!
Dont know if you are or are planning to tow much at all. If so, be SURE to get the Dakota V6 with the 3:93 rear axle! OR, OR, better yet, hold off on trading and
find a 300HP 4.7L V8 Dakota! Those things are a BEAST! :-)
I made the HORRIBLE mistake of test driving a 2010 black ext. cab 2wd 4.7 V8 WITH THE 3:93 AXLE! Saturday. DAAAAADGUUUUMMMMIT!!!!!! 0-60 in, like, NOW!!
Good GOD that truck was FAST!!!!!!!
So when I got back into my white '08 V6 ext cab 2WD with it's lowly 3:55 rear axle and left the dealership, I put that bastard to the FLOOR and it now feels like I am driving around in a GEO METRO everywhere I go! I am now perminately RUINED! lol

 

No issues with my 08, have almost 80k. Still on stock suspension as well. Love the V-8, its just to big for a v6 in my opinion, but it would probably be a nice step up from your old truck.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I found a thread online somewhere that said there was issues w/ the cluster going bad. But that was just one guy, so it must have been an isolated issue. I dont plan on doing any towing with it at all actually, more just for hauling around my bike but I would really like the quad cab. My truck is a regular cab w/ the 2.9 4 cyl in it, so I don't need a lot of truck. I drive about 7 miles to work so the fuel usage is not a big deal either I just dont want to get this thing w/ less than 30k miles and it will only come with a 3 month warranty from the selling dealer.

Also, i have no idea what rear end it has in it. Its the big horn if it matters. But it sounds like its a solid truck, thanks a ton for the info! I'll def be back to let you know if I got it. Have to wait until wed to test drive it tho

 

shortly after sending this reply I got a reply back from dodge on the build sheet for this truck. This is what they said:

According to our records, the 2008 Dodge Dakota was equipped from the
factory with the following:

Sales Code Description
*G5 Cloth Seat
-DD Dk Slate Gray/Med Slate Gray
ADJP Heavy Duty Service Group
AHCP Trailer Tow Group
AM8 Utility Group
APAS Monotone Paint
BAZS 136 Amp Alternator
BCQP 750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BCSS Battery Run Down Protection
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
CABP Bucket Seats
CBZS Prem Vinyl Door Trim w/Map Pocket
CFNS Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
CG3S Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags**
CKES Front Seat Area Carpet
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSWS Driver Assist Handle
CUCP Floor Console
DGV 4-Spd. Automatic VLP 42RLE Trans
DH5S Elec Shift-on-the-Fly P/Time T/Case
DJDS 205MM Front Axle
DMHP 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
DSAP Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
EKG 3.7L V6 Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GJDS Rear Fixed Window
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNDS Driver Side Sun Visor
GNES Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GUNP Power 6X9 Multi-Func F/Away Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXRS Keyless Entry
HAAS Air Conditioning
JAAS Instrument Panel
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBHS Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JKWP 12V Center Console Power Outlet
JKYS Power Accessory Delay
JPBS Power Locks
JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
JP8S Manual Adjust Seats
LABS Tire Pressure Monitoring Warning LP
LAFS Key in Ign/Seat Belt Warning Buzzer
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LAMS Door Ajar Warning Lamp
LCDS Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LCHS Rear Dome Lamp
LMBS Halogen Headlamps
LNJP Fog Lamps
LPES Cargo Lamp
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBAP Painted Front Bumper
MBDP Argent Rear Bumper
MFLP Black Headlamp Bezel w/Chrome Trim
MF5P Bright/Accent Color Grille
MGAS Ram's Head Badge
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MUMS Dakota Badge
MWKS Dual Function Tailgate
MWTS 4X4 Badge
MYFA Bighorn Badge
NAA Federal Emissions
NFBS 22 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHFP Power Steering Cooler
NHMS Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
NZDS Next Generation Engine Controller
PXR Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
QXRS Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
RCDS 4 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
RESS Uconnect 130 AM/FM/CD/MP3
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCDS Luxury Steering Wheel
SDBS Heavy Duty Suspension
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS Tire Carrier Winch
TP5P P265/60R18 BSW On/Off Road Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WF1P 17" Steel Spare Wheel
WPBP 18X8.0 Aluminum Wheels
XBNP Tip Start
XBSS Pickup Box
XDXS Scissor Type Jack
XFHP Class IV Receiver Hitch
XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness
XFUS Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring
XMEP Under Rail Box Bedliner
XSLS Brake/Park Interlock
XXRP Pickup Box Utility Rails
X81S Instrument Panel Parts Module
X88S Tire & Wheel Parts Module
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

Some of these options I don't know what they are, but I don't see anything that looks to be a downfall to the truck.

 

Looks like the same build sheet as our truck except ours had the V8 and no Big Horn which is OK since I rarly use the horn. ;>)
We LOVE our 08.

BFN
Randy